He told the club's website: "The overriding factor for me was I was lucky enough to be under the care of Mr Tahir Ali who has enabled the opportunity for me to carry my daughters, when there was a time that I may not have been able to walk again.

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"This is the most important thing to me! I don’t want people to feel sorry for me but be thankful that I have both legs to walk on.”

Lathrope will remain in hospital for a few weeks more to continue his very long road to recovery.

Damon Lathrope watches Nathan Ralph (Image: Les Williams)

Picture: Les Williams

He added: "I’m extremely proud of my professional football career and wouldn’t have changed or done anything different. I have made my family extremely proud and this makes me very happy.

"I have no regrets but the facts are that this injury will overall end my playing career, I will continue to move forward to the future and have a career in another area of football, off the field, maybe helping to develop players.

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"I know I have a lot to offer to the game in other ways than me physically being on the pitch.

"I’m really disappointed that I didn’t get to fulfil what I had planned at Woking as a player. It’s such a good set up and the plan looked great. I’m going to bring/offer as much to the club in any aspect that I can.

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"I understand it’s going to be a long journey ahead for me to get back on my feet, but just to have this opportunity is enough for me.

"My family and I can’t thank the club enough for all of their support since the accident.”

Lathrope is said to be finding his treatment and recovery tiring and the family request that visiting is currently limited to family members only.

A spokesman for Woking FC said: "Woking Football Club will be supporting Damon and his family during his recovery, and would like to thank our fans, Boreham Wood Football Club, and the wider footballing community for their concern shown."